REWARD OFFERED FOR INFORMATION AFTER 13 COMPUTERS STOLEN AT TWO SCHOOLS

Authorities asked for the public’s help Thursday to determine who broke into two Rancho Santa Fe schools this month and made off with 13 Apple computers.

The first theft happened sometime between July 1 and July 5 at Diegueno Country School on Circo Diegueno Road near Paseo Valencia Road, according to Crime Stoppers.

Seven iMac computers, including five bought this year, were taken. The estimated loss is $9,100.

The second heist happened Thursday at Solana Santa Fe Elementary School on El Apajo, north of San Dieguito Road.

Deputies discovered the theft after responding to a burglar alarm at the school about 4 a.m. and finding a broken window in one of the buildings, Crime Stoppers said. Six iMac computers and an Apple projector unit worth about $9,000 were stolen.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Witnesses or tipsters with information about the thefts are asked to call the Sheriff’s Department’s 4S Ranch substation at (858) 521-5200.

Anonymous tips can be left with Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Anonymous email and text messages can be sent via
sdcrimestoppers.com.

teri figueroa • U-T

15 injured when tree falls at Marine recruit depot

San Diego

A eucalyptus tree fell at the Marine recruit depot in San Diego Thursday, injuring about 15 people, depot staff said.

Two people were transported to local hospitals with moderate injuries; most injuries were minor.

Relatives of graduating recruits were gathered about 9 a.m. near the tree, waiting for the future Marines to pass by on a “motivational run.”

The cause of the accident is under investigation. Depot staff were unable to immediately confirm whether landscaping and tree trimming had been curtailed recently because of federal “sequestration” or other budget cuts.

Even if landscape maintenance has been reduced, it would be inappropriate to speculate on the cause of the accident while it remains under investigation, said Janice Hagar, a spokeswoman for Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Gretel Kovach • U-T

Driver, 17, arrested after chase, suspected of DUI

el cajon

A 17-year-old suspected drunken driver was arrested Thursday morning following a police chase in El Cajon that ended in a car wreck.

Police spotted a speeding Ford Escape just before 2 a.m. that was heading east on Interstate 8 near Spring Street and tried to pull it over, said California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Pearlstein.

The SUV was traveling more than 100 mph, Pearlstein said.

Officers pursued the vehicle for about 2½ miles until the driver exited on West Main Street and crashed into a utility pole.

The driver was taken into custody on suspicion of drunken driving and evading arrest.

Four passengers in the car were questioned by police and released, Pearlstein said.

No injuries were reported.

Erin donnelly • U-T

Two found hidden in car that sped from checkpoint

east county

A man and a woman from Mexico were found inside the trunk of a car near Pine Valley on Tuesday after a suspected smuggler tried to elude Border Patrol agents.